Focus On: (8) Flora

Basics

Class: S-type asteroid
Location: Main belt
Orbit length (approx): 3.27 years
Discovered: 18th October 1847 (time unknown), from London, UK, by John Russell Hind
Events at time of discovery:

• September 30 – The Vegetarian Society is formed in the United Kingdom (it remains the oldest in the world).
• October 17 – Birth of Chiquinha Gonzaga, Brazilian composer
• October 19 – Charlotte Brontë publishes Jane Eyre in the UK under the pen name of Currer Bell.
• – Birth of Aurilla Furber, American author, editor, and activist

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Naming information

Name origin: Sabine and Roman goddess of flowers and of the season of spring – a symbol for nature and flowers (especially the may-flower).
Mythology: While Flōra was otherwise a relatively minor figure in Roman mythology, being one among several fertility goddesses, her association with the spring gave her particular importance at the coming of springtime, as did her role as goddess of youth. She was one of the fifteen deities who had their own flamen (priest), the Floralis. Her festival was held between April 28 and May 3.

Detail of 'Flora' (1894), by Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919).

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Astrological data

Discovery degree: 16+ Gemini
Discovery Sabian: The Head of a Robust Youth Changes Into That of a Mature Thinker
Discovery nodal signature: Leo-Sagittarius
Estimated orbital resonances: Venus 3:16, Earth 4:13, Mars 13:20, Ceres 7:5, Jupiter 11:3, Saturn 9:1
Discovery chart details: Venus and Mars are both retrograde, with Mercury opposing Mars. Sun approaching opposition to Pluto. Flora is sextile Uranus.

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Summary and references

May indicate floweriness, ornateness, growth or manifestation, abundance versus aridity, idealism versus ruthlessness^[1]; spring freshness, blossoming, learning, talent, creative ability in all respects^[2]; bestowing grace, happiness, nourishing, flourishing, attraction^[3].

References:
1) Mark Andrew Holmes: Flora
2) Neptune's Aura Astrology: Flora 8
3) TAKE Astrology: Asteroids in Astrology

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Noon discovery chart for (8) Flora: 18th October 1847, London, UK.